The Disappearance of Kortne Stouffer
- Sarah Turney
- Jun 25
- 7 min read
The Disappearance of Kortne Stouffer
In the early morning hours of July 29, 2012, 21-year-old Kortne Ciera Stouffer vanished from her apartment in Palmyra, Pennsylvania.
But this wasn’t a quiet night.
There were people awake nearby. There were arguments, noise complaints, police calls, and multiple interactions with neighbors. By morning, Kortne was gone.
More than a decade later, no one has been publicly named as a suspect, and no one has been charged in connection with her disappearance. Her loved ones have never stopped searching for answers.
This week on Voices for Justice, we’re covering Kortne’s case, the hours leading up to her disappearance, and the questions that remain.
Listen to the full episode about Kortne Stouffer
Or listen on your favorite podcast player:
The Night Before Kortne Disappeared
On Saturday, July 28, 2012, Kortne and her boyfriend were at their apartment in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, with friends. The gathering eventually drew the attention of police. Reports differ slightly on whether the call was specifically about noise or underage drinking, but the party was broken up, and Kortne’s boyfriend was taken in for violating the terms of his probation.
Kortne was upset. According to her family, she was worried about what could happen to him and believed her neighbors may have been the ones who called police.
Her mother, Wendy, tried to comfort her and offered to have Kortne come stay at her house for the night, but Kortne declined. Instead, she decided to go out and try to take her mind off everything.
Later that night, Kortne met up with friends at a bar in Hummelstown before the group continued on to Harrisburg. While out, Kortne reportedly had a confrontation involving a man she believed had previously stolen from her. The situation escalated enough that security asked her to leave the bar.
Afterward, Kortne and her friends got food, and eventually, one of the friends she had been with that night followed her back to her apartment to make sure she got home safely.
They arrived back in Palmyra at around 3 a.m.
Police Are Called Again
Once Kortne was back at her apartment, the tension from earlier in the night continued.
Around 3 a.m., Kortne had a verbal altercation with neighbors. One neighbor called police and reported that Kortne was threatening him. Officers arrived at approximately 3:15 a.m.
There are conflicting accounts of what happened. Kortne reportedly told police she had simply been outside walking her dog, Sheba, when her neighbors came out and began yelling at her. Neighbors told police Kortne was the one being loud and disruptive.
Police ultimately told everyone to go home and warned that if they had to return, someone could go to jail. Officers left the scene around 3:49 a.m.
But not long after, at approximately 4:11 a.m., another call was made to police. A neighbor reported hearing Kortne screaming, stomping, and slamming doors inside her apartment.
Officers returned at 4:31 a.m.
When they knocked on Kortne’s door, no one answered.
They heard a dog barking inside. They knocked again. The dog barked again. But still, there was no answer.
Officers looked through the patio door and window but said they did not see anything out of place. They did not see Kortne. They did not see the friend who had stayed over. They left the scene.
That would become one of the most haunting parts of this case.
Police were at Kortne’s apartment shortly after 4:30 a.m. By that morning, she was missing.
Kortne Is Gone
Later that morning, the friend who had stayed at Kortne’s apartment said he woke up and realized she wasn’t there. He left, made a purchase at a nearby store, and texted Kortne asking what happened to her.
She did not respond.
That same day, Kortne was supposed to attend a local fair with family. It was an annual tradition, something she had done for years. When she didn’t show up and wasn’t answering calls or texts, her family immediately knew something was wrong.
Kortne’s mother and brother went to her apartment. Her car was still outside. Reports differ on whether the door was open or unlocked, but they were able to enter the apartment.
Inside, nothing appeared to be out of place.
There were no obvious signs of a struggle. Nothing seemed to be missing.
But Sheba, Kortne’s beloved dog, was inside alone.
That detail deeply alarmed her family. Kortne loved Sheba. She had taken the dog with her when she moved out, worked as a pet groomer, and had even talked about becoming a veterinarian. Leaving Sheba behind without care was completely out of character.
Kortne’s keys and shoes were reportedly near the front door. Her purse, money, cigarettes, and phone were also left behind. Her phone was still plugged in and had missed calls.
At 2:42 p.m. that day, Kortne’s father reported her missing to the Palmyra Police Department.
The Investigation
Kortne’s apartment was later processed as investigators began looking into what happened. Police interviewed people who had contact with Kortne that night, including friends, neighbors, and the people involved in earlier confrontations.
Her boyfriend had been in custody when Kortne disappeared, giving him a clear alibi.
The friend who stayed at Kortne’s apartment that night has been described as cooperative with investigators. He has not been publicly named as a suspect or person of interest.
Kortne’s neighbors were also looked into, and their homes were searched. Police have stated they have not found evidence pointing to their involvement.
That is part of what makes Kortne’s case so difficult. There were so many interactions that night. So many people nearby. So many moments that feel important. And yet, none of it has publicly led to an arrest.
Search Efforts and Community Support
In the days after Kortne disappeared, her family and community rallied around her.
A candlelight vigil was held outside the police department, with more than 200 people attending. The Palmyra Fire Department later organized a search, and so many people showed up to help that organizers reportedly had to turn volunteers away.
Searchers and a K-9 unit combed through a two-mile radius around Kortne’s apartment, but nothing was found.
Her loved ones held fundraisers, sold shirts, and continued raising awareness. Over time, the reward for information grew significantly, eventually reaching $100,000.
Kortne’s family has also continued to honor her every year through community events, including an annual river float inspired by something Kortne loved. The event is not just about remembering her. It is about refusing to let her case fade from public attention.
Who Kortne Was
So much of the coverage around Kortne’s case focuses on the final hours before she disappeared. That is understandable, because those hours matter. But they are not the whole story.
Kortne was one of five children. She grew up on a farm, loved animals, and was known for her free spirit. She loved the outdoors. She loved floating down the river. She loved her dog, Sheba.
Her loved ones have described her as kind, funny, colorful, generous, and deeply missed.
Kortne was not just a missing person. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and someone whose life was so much bigger than the worst night of it.
Listen to Kortne’s Story
Kortne Stouffer was last seen in the early morning hours of July 29, 2012, in Palmyra, Pennsylvania.
At the time of her disappearance, she was 21 years old. She is white, 5’8”, and weighed approximately 115 to 120 pounds. She had blonde hair and green eyes. She also had three distinct tattoos: “One Love” on her right arm, three stars on the top of her right foot, and a pistol with flowers on her left side.
Anyone with information is urged to contact their local FBI office or submit a tip online at Tips.FBI.gov.
Please listen to Kortne’s story on Voices for Justice, and please share it. Her family has been fighting for answers for more than a decade, and someone may still know something that could help.
Sources:
“Come Home Kortne: Over a Decade Later Family and Friends Remember Missing Woman.” Local21News,
https://local21news.com/news/local/come-home-kortne-over-a-decade-later-family-and-friends-r emember-missing-woman. Accessed 2026.
“Disappearance of Kortne Stouffer, Palmyra, Pennsylvania.” WGAL,
https://www.wgal.com/article/disappearance-of-kortne-stouffer-palmyra-pennsylvania/40680399. Accessed 2026.
“Family of Lebanon County Woman Who Disappeared in 2012 Hopes New Videos Will Lead to Answers.” WGAL,
https://www.wgal.com/article/family-of-lebanon-county-woman-who-disappeared-in-2012-hopes -new-videos-will-lead-to-answers/38679521. Accessed 2026.
“Family of Missing Palmyra Woman Raises Money.” WGAL,
“Four Men Headed to State Prison in 2012 Home Invasion Robbery.” CrimeWatch PA, https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/dauphin/da/310/post/four-men-headed-state-prison-2012-home-inva sion-robbery. Accessed 2026.
“HuffPost Coverage of Kortne Stouffer Missing Case.” HuffPost,
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kortne-stouffer-missing_n_6070004. Accessed 2026.
“HuffPost: Milton Rodriguez and Cody Pruett Case Context.” HuffPost,
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kortne-stouffer-milton-rodriguez-cody-pruett_n_1818359. Accessed 2026.
“Kerstin Stouffer of the Kortne Stouffer Project (We Are Lebanon, PA).” LebTown, https://lebtown.com/2022/01/03/kerstin-stouffer-of-the-kortne-stouffer-project-we-are-lebanon-p a/. Accessed 2026.
“Lisa Marko, Kortne’s Cheerleading Coach (We Are Lebanon, PA).” LebTown, https://lebtown.com/2022/06/15/lisa-marko-kortnes-cheerleading-coach-we-are-lebanon-pa/. Accessed 2026.
“Jess Innocent, Friend of Kortne Stouffer (We Are Lebanon, PA).” LebTown, https://lebtown.com/2022/07/01/jess-innocent-friend-of-kortne-stouffer-we-are-lebanon-pa/. Accessed 2026.
“Wendy Stouffer Hammel, Mother of Kortne Stouffer (We Are Lebanon, PA).” LebTown, https://lebtown.com/2022/02/01/wendy-stouffer-hammel-mother-of-kortne-stouffer-we-are-leban on-pa/. Accessed 2026.
“Julie Keiter, Best Friend of Kortne Stouffer’s Younger Sister.” LebTown, https://lebtown.com/2022/02/14/julie-keiter-best-friend-of-kortne-stouffers-younger-sister-we-ar e-lebanon-pa/. Accessed 2026.
“Overheard Conversation / Psychic Leads in Missing Woman Case.” WGAL, https://www.wgal.com/article/overheard-conversation-psychic-sources-of-latest-missing-woman information/5901569. Accessed 2026.
“Man Sells Signs to Help Find Missing Woman.” WGAL,
“Kortne Stouffer Missing Case Overview.” CBS News,
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kortne-stouffer-missing-pa-woman-21-seemingly-disappeared-w ithout-a-trace-from-her-apartment/. Accessed 2026.
“Kortne Stouffer Missing: Could Be Kidnapping According to Warrant.” CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kortne-stouffer-missing-pa-womans-disappearance-could-be-kid napping-according-to-warrant/. Accessed 2026.
“Pictures: Pennsylvania Woman Disappears From Her Apartment.” CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/pa-woman-disappears-from-her-apartment/. Accessed 2026.
“Missing Woman Case Update (Kortne Stouffer).” NewsNation,
https://www.newsnationnow.com/missing/kortne-stouffer/. Accessed 2026.
“Missing Woman: 13 Years Later Investigation Update.” ABC News 4,
https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/kortne-stouffer-missing-woman-palmyra-lebanon-coun ty-woman-vanished-13-years-later-anniversary-police-district-attorney-investigation-. Accessed 2026.
“Annual Float in Honor of Kortne Stouffer Gallery.” Local21News,
https://local21news.com/news/local/gallery-family-community-members-attend-annual-float-in honor-of-kortne-stouffer. Accessed 2026.
“Palmyra Community Holds ‘Float for Kortne’ Event 2025.” FOX43,
https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/dauphin-county/kortne-stouffer-float-palmyra-2025/52 1-2166c3cb-6752-4a13-abef-aa4f6ae4f6ca. Accessed 2026.
“Ten Years After Kortne Stouffer Vanished, Police and Family Still Seek Answers.” LebTown, https://lebtown.com/2022/07/28/10-years-after-kortne-stouffer-vanished-police-family-are-still-s eeking-answers/. Accessed 2026.
“Kortne Stouffer Missing: Family Still Seeking Answers After 12 Years.” Lancaster Online, https://www.ldnews.com/story/news/local/2024/07/29/kortne-stouffers-family-wants-answers-12 -years-after-she-vanished/74553223007/. Accessed 2026.
“Kortne Stouffer Missing Case Timeline and Coverage.” PennLive,
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/its-been-8-years-since-kortne-stouffer-disappeared-her family-friends-continue-to-hold-out-hope-for-answers.html. Accessed 2026.
“Kortne Stouffer Missing Case Coverage (2013).” PennLive,
“Help Find Them: 13 Missing Pennsylvanians.” LehighValleyLive,
“Kortne Stouffer FBI Missing Persons Profile.” Federal Bureau of Investigation, https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/vicap/missing-persons/kortne-ciera-stouffer. Accessed 2026.
“Kortne Stouffer Remember Me (Facebook Page).” Facebook,
“FBI Philadelphia Twitter Update on Kortne Stouffer.” X (Twitter),
https://x.com/FBIPhiladelphia/status/1420776704981749766. Accessed 2026.
“Extended Interview: Scott Stouffer Discusses Daughter’s Case.” Local21News, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37QE4KYx5SU. Accessed 2026.
“Family Testimonials – Kortne Stouffer Case.” YouTube,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn7mwAThe48. Accessed 2026.
“Audio Clips and Interviews – Kortne Stouffer Case.” YouTube,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1s7HbCuc4g. Accessed 2026.
“Disappearance Coverage and Interviews.” YouTube,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSiPNDKFD3s. Accessed 2026.
“Disappeared: Kortne Stouffer.” Disappeared, season not specified, Investigation Discovery, Discovery+, https://www.discoveryplus.com/show/disappeared
Jones, Marissa, host. “Kortne Stouffer.” The Vanished Podcast, episode 70, 24 Mar. 2017, https://www.thevanishedpodcast.com/episodes/2017/3/24/episode-70-kortne-stouffer
